The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1887-07-07
THE BLUE AND THE GRAY.
FIRST DAY OF THE REUNION AT GET.
TYs6URG, Pennsylvania.

The Old Historic Town Resoundlng to the
Tread Of Soldiers who Fought in Both
Armies-the Fraternal Sentiment Which
PreVAiled-The Speakers Present.
GETTYSBURG, Pa, July 5.-The first day Of
the reunion of the Philadelphia brigade and
Picketts' division was grand success in
every particular, and the historic town Of
Gettysburg resounded with the echoes of the
cheers given the soldiers of the south as
they came into the city. The Philadelphia
brigade arrived late in the afternoon and
number about $50 members, while their
wives and children and friends, swelled the
number to at least 2,000
Picketts division arrived at S:45 and were
met at the depot by the brigade whose
guests they are. Before the train came to a
halt the air was rent with cheers and when
it stopped there was one continuous yell.
The Confederate veterans were marched to
the square where a rousing reception was
given to them. Then the Blue and Gray,
arm In arm, marched to the court house,
where they were welcomed to Pennsylvania
The meeting in the court house was memo
rable. The room was crowded to excess by
I, enthusiastic soldiers who fought in both
armies and on every occasion breathing
fraternal sentiments. There was great ap-
plause.
The widow of Gen. Pickett and her son
were among the audience and attracted very
general attention After John W. Frazier,
Of the Third brigade, had called the meeting
10 order Mrs. Picktt and sol were escorted
TO the platform amid burst Of applause,
which continued several seconds Mr.. Fra
Eier said that nothing has occurred since
the war that would conduce so much toward
sincere fellowship between the north and the
south as this reunion.
Col Charles II. Banes, Of Philadelphia, in
felicitious speech complimented the
bravery Of the Confederate troops and par
ticularly the division of Pickett The latter
sentiment was the signal for great applause.
Captain P. K. Reid, of Virginia, for
Pickett's division, expressed his warm thanks
for the reception rendered the surviving
members of the command, after which
Col A. K Mcclure delivered an address, in
which he referred to the Importance of the
reunion in cementing the goo1-fellowship
between the north and south. "Gettys-
burg" he said, "has been consecrated to inn
perishable immortality by both armies.
Both had fought for their convictions 1t
was not a callseless war, as some people con-
tended. 1t was war of earnest, profound
conviction :" Men who had hinlered peace
after the war had ended were strongly
criticised
Col. w. R. Aylett, the youngest colonel
in Gen. Armisteads division, was then in
5roduced and created great enthusiasm. He
said the meeting was touch of nature that
made us all akin He felt as if he was in the
house of his friends, and declared that any
man who tried to rekindle the fires Of war
was not worthy Of tine name of American
citizen. He had something to say about
the the flags The south surrendered its
aags when the war ended. The only flag
they recognize was the flag of his fathers
pointing to the United States flag, as it was
uafurled by one of Pickett's men, Tremend-
ous applause followed, which lasted several
minutes. He did not care what was done
with the old flags. Much enthusiasm was
provoked by reference to Union woman
at Greencastle who defied Pickett's entire
division to take from her small United
States flag, and the division, he said, did not
iare to wrest it from her. This woman he
would like to take by the hand.
Letters were read from President Gle ve-
land, Senator Sherman aud Gen. Alex s.
Webb, endorsing the object Of the reunion,
after which the meeting adjourned and the
guests Of the Philadelphia brigade were
given a supper.
The uisiting soldiers from both sides spent
Sunday morning in wandering over the
battlefield and exchanging "reminiscences.
In the afternoon the procession, headed by
Adjt. Gen, Wmtecar, marched from
the Eagle hotel over the route taken twenty
four years ago to the scene Of Pickett's
famous charge. Tho band played "Rally
Round the Flag as the Philadelphia boys
cached the "Bloody Angle" where they
successfully resisted Pickett's advance. The
tone fence is still standing which formed
their bulwark.
Col Obrien, of the Sixty,ninth, then
called the assembled soldiers to order and
read list of the killed and wounded Of that
regiment. He introduced Gen. j. I. Owen,
who delivered an eloquent Grafton, telling
how the Philadelphia men won the name Of
paddy Ownen's RegulaFs." He compli-
mented Pickett's men and said the charge
was one of the most desperate in the annals
of warfare. He closed by leading three
hearty cheers for Pickett's division.
Col Reilly then presented the monument
10 the care and keeping Of the Battlefield
D ID.
received it in their name, and when he had
finished Col. Reilly presented him with
gold watch in the name Of the Sixty-ninth.
Mrs. Pickett, escorted by Gen. Burns, was
sitting on the platform, and when she was
seen tho crowd loudly cheered her. Adjt
Gen. McDermott presented her with a
aoral cross, which she acknowledged by
bowing her thanks
The Seventy-frst then took the platform
Gen Burns was introduced as orator and /
spoke for some time. Gen. Baldy Smith
spoke for few minutes after him.
It was Gen. Wister's duty to turn the
over TO the association, and he
was very much affected at the sight of,so
few men remaining Of the brigade. His
whole speech was interrupted by his emo
tions Col John w. Vanderslice, of Phila-
delphfa, received the monument for the
Battlefield association. Col R. Penn Smith
then presented the association the tablet of
Cushing's battery, also received by Col
Vanderslice. Prayer was then offered at
the famous clump Of trees whore the Cowan's
battery monument is erected. Col Cowan
presented the monument to the Memorial
association, and spoke Of the events of
twenty-four years ago, when he had been
commanded to place his battery there.
The monument was received in behalf OF
the association by Capt s. N. Wakener. Mr.
William Sawyers thanked Col. Cowan for
his efforts to make a success Of this dedica-
tion. Perhaps the most interesting incident
Of the whole dedication exercises was the
presentation by Col Cowan to- the Pickett
Division association of a sword which he
captured during Picketts famous charge. 1t
was taken from young rebel officer who
was sent exactly in front Of the colonel, and
no owner has ever been found for the sword
The relic was accepted by Maj ]. G.
Crocker, Of Virginia, in behalf of the Pickett
Division association, promising to use every